Re: Playing the long game!
 

What trkenvy said - hope you plan to take it by to see tom every so often because the most important thing in this whole deal is the friendship with tom. While trucks like this are rare, previous owners like tom are even fewer and farther between. Truck will be here for the rest of your life, but unfortunately tom won't, so make the most of it now and the friendship and the truck will be even more special than they are today. Great story. Very very cool truck Jason, congrats.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Congratulations on this find and for the friendship you've found too. Totally awesome. ....

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Congrats, May this truck always have great memories.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

The comments on the value of the friendship are so right-on. I wish I had that opportunity myself, but the previous owner of my truck passed away, and I could only deal with his daughter, who did not have the same history with the truck.

Keep up the connection, it will be rewarding for both you and Tom.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

What an awesome story. I read about it last year and wondered what would ever come out of the deal. I'm so happy you got it and made a friend in the process.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Don't worry fellas, Ive already lined up some time to help him with some yard work in the spring. He's not just a guy a bought a truck from, he's become a friend.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Jason,
That's a cool story and nice looking truck. It's in good hands! They are hard to find in that shape but I know you'll take good care of it!

Re: Playing the long game!
 

So far I've put about 1000 miles on the truck. The entire family loves the truck. Even used it for our annual Xmas pictures.

Definitely gonna require some upgrades. Disc brakes, power steering and some engine upgrades.

I found some receipts in the big file that Tom gave me, the most important being an engine rebuild receipt from 1987, 30,000 miles ago. The basic plan is to put an old set of double bump heads that I have sitting on the shelf, rebuilt years ago and just waiting for the right truck, ditch the 2 barrel for a four, aluminum intake, lose the points for a more reliable HEI setup and convert the alternator to an internal unit.

As you can see from the pic, I have added a set of GM transport wheels, using the Impala caps that Tom gave me with the truck. I know some of you won't like this choice but I really like it. I have also dropped the truck 3/5 but plan on another 2" all the way around. Nothing invasive, just swapping hard parts around.

As far as the body, she's as solid as she appears to be. I'm gonna remove all the trim and give it a real good polish, repaint the bumpers white and restore the mirrors as well.

And then, i'm going to drive the wheels off of it, using like it should be!!!! Its only 500 or so miles from rolling over.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Beautiful Pickup. I was with Already Gone with the "please don't lower it," but it does look good I must admit.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Great story , if you dont mind , where did you get the rims and tires , and what size - brand are they ?

Re: Playing the long game!
 

You mentioned the engine was replaced in 1970. A 327, 283, 350?
If it is a smaller cube engine, the 2 Bbl may not be a bad choice. Getting a 4 Bbl to function properly on a small engine can be difficult.
What trans?

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Thanks, the wheels are 22" transport wheels also known as transit wheels. They are used by GM when shipping new trucks to dealerships. They come up for sale quite often, although GM seems to be more successful at stopping them from getting to market, the techs are supposed to destroy them. They require a little bit of Machine work on the hub opening to fit these trucks.

The caps are held on by some clips that I got from a guy off of Instagram.

The tires are Nitto 266/35/22.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Tom originally told me that the engine had been changed in 70'. But the receipts dispute that. No biggie. The engine appears to be a rebuilt 327. Although the engine runs like a clock, it is lacking in basic power, something that I feel is an issue for a daily driver in today's traffic. I'm not looking for a tire shredder, just something to drive safely and maybe even a bit of towing.

The trans is a powerglide with a 3:73 posi rear.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Awesome truck and story - enjoy it!

Re: Playing the long game!
 

68bowtie makes a very good point. :metal:

If none of his family wants this truck - it would be good to let his family know of Tom's plan.

Again - Great find.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

I'm waiting out an Alberta vehicle myself, a 69 Pontiac 2+2 427 four speed convertible. I think it's one of one, sold and lived it's whole life with the original owner in Edmonton until it got traded in about 15 years ago, and that dealer stashed it away and is now pretty elderly. I chat with him every year, he'll let it go one of these years!

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Haha, you must've missed a few posts 😃 She's all mine now.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

I hope that it works out for you. Treating people with respect usually does. Something folks seem to be missing these days.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Amen to that, I had someone in my life whom is still my best fishing buddy. He helped me to fulfill a dream and is not forgotten.

I still honer the older generation every chance I get, they built the world in which we live.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

that was a great find and survivor.
i had an older gent, named Tom that i would go see every other week or so, when i lived close to him. me and the family moved 60 miles away, i said i would see him still because i worked close to where he lived. life got in the way and on my next visit he had passed away 1 week earlier. the family gave me a couple of mementos but i still miss him.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Nice truck and the story behind it. Once we get over this bitter artic cold it would be nice to see it in person. Once the snow is gone I would like to bring my Stedelbauer bought farm boy over. Maybe?

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Nice truck, nice story, especially about the friendship. The mild drop looks good, as well.

From the pictures at the beginning of this thread, it appears that the bench seat might pivot? Is that the case?

Re: Playing the long game!
 

For sure, its always good to meet fellow truck junkies.

Yes it does, it was a 67' and early 68' thing.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Very cool truck. l've seen it on Instagram before but am just now seeing it here. Glad I found it.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

That gear is perfect. A Th350 is a bolt in deal. Same length, shifter linkage is slightly different, you'd need the kick down cable bracket for the carb and to connect to carb. I performed this swap on my 67 Bel Air years ago, made a huge difference in drive-ability.
I hedging that your engine may be a 283. The 283's and 327's had the smaller 2G 2 barrel carbs on them. They act like a governor at higher RPM's. I built a 283 for my Bel Air back in the 80's. Thought I could get some great MPG numbers. 20 MPG was my best.
The block I.D. is behind the driver side head. That will tell you what you have.
I hope it's a 327, you could stroke it to a 383, nobody would know :D
I have other ideas...

Re: Playing the long game!
 

I've been following you on Instagram as well, it's making it difficult to resist the temptation to cut mine down. Haha

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Yeah, I know where the casting info is. Work has just been so busy it took me two weeks just to get my wheels on the trucks after having them mounted and balanced!! But, I guess that's a good problem to have.

It sounds like you have quite a bit experience with these, I'll be picking your brain when the time comes.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

I'm glad you finally got the truck. Although I'm not a fan of the rims you have installed on the truck, with the 3/5 drop and those wheels the truck looks good. I would't drop it anymore and concentrate as you mentioned on the driveability issues.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

I'll go one further, and say that this truck is a very unusual find for anywhere on the planet. What a great looking '67!!!

Re: Playing the long game!
 

I love the rims. I hope someone starts making them in a 8 lug soon.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

I love your story and your truck. I may be biased though, as my 67 c20 is the same color. No where NEAR as nice though. Someday...

Re: Playing the long game!
 

There is a guy on Instagram who modifies transit wheels, including the bolt patterns. If you want i can try and find him again.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Thats better than I thought you would say, I know that lowered trucks and big wheels aren't your thing. Its pretty much parked for the winter now, so the engine work is up next,

Agreed!!

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Thanks!!! I'm sure you'll get there.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

I remember seeing a facebook post of someone who had stacks of those wheels in Canada and remember now he said he can modify bolt patterns. I'll try to hunt that down. Thanks

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Yours would look awesome as a shortbed, then again, yours also has a lot more known history and originality than mine so I would struggle with cutting yours up as well.

The guy who sells and modifies the transits is Stephen Dillman (dillman1977 on Instagram). I got my set from him and he was a good guy to deal with. He can do different widths from 8-12", different backspacings, and any bolt pattern that will fit. He's actually running a sale on transits right now so it's a good time to pick a set up.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Thank you

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Thank you so much , very helpfull , you have a beautiful family , stay warm , from a Florida guy

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Scored a parts truck. It's a 72' very rusty, even by our local standards. But it's also quite complete.
Power steering, power brakes, factory 4 barrel intake with the oil spout, already has an HEI conversion as well as an internally regulated alternator, hitch, centre seat belt and under bed spare tire carrier. I'm sure as I dig into it I'll find more useable parts as well.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

An interior shot.